14 Cheap Thrills: Beauty Buys From Local Hair & Beauty Experts

It’s refreshing to be reminded that not everyone (not even beauty experts) spends an arm and a leg on every item in their beauty cabinet. Yes, some of our dollars are reserved for the high-end, luxurious brands we simply cannot live without, but our money is just as well spent on lesser-known brands. Nashville experts in the field of hair and beauty have revealed their favorite cheap beauty thrills, and we are eager to try them all!

UNDER $5

NYX Cosmetic Butter Gloss

Mandy Burnett of Harper & Olive loves NYX Cosmetic Butter Gloss and the wide variety of colors available. The $5 price point of this gloss is pretty great too! Find it at Target.

Snag a tube of NYX gloss from Target for $5.

We love our sponsors!

e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Trio

This is another favorite of Mandy’s — the e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Trio. “The pigments are great, and it gives a beautiful pop to eyes,” she says of the trio in Peach Please. “Also, the $4 price point rocks!” Shop this trio at Walgreens.

e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Trio, $4 at Walgreens

Kiss false eyelashes

“They look the most natural and don’t have a lot of extra fluff!” says Daniel Cole Collection‘s Valorie Cole of Kiss lashes. “They also are available in a variety of sizes that fit most eye shapes.” Find them for $4.29 at Walgreens.

Kiss lashes, $4.29 at Walgreens

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner

“This eyeliner is fantastic!” says Mandy. “I have used this for years on photoshoots, red carpet and for brides. This will run you $4.50 at Target.”

Find this Rimmel eyeliner for $4.50 at Target.

UNDER $10

CoverGirl Outlast All-day Lipcolor

“I didn’t have to think for a second. My cheap thrill is CoverGirl Outlast All-day Lipcolor! I must have at least 25. I put it on in the morning, and it is still there late at night, regardless of how much I eat, drink or talk,” says Linda D. Roberts, President & CEO of Therapy Systems (Stores include: Therapy Systems, Cosmetic Market, Private Edition and Absolution). “The strange thing is that I am always picking up a new lipstick in one of my stores, but I always go back to this because it really does outlast everything. My staff hates it whenever someone asks me what lipstick I am wearing!” Find it in a variety of shades for $7.99 at Target.

This lip color will last you all day! Find it for $7.99 at Target.

InvisiBobble Hair Ties

Susanne Shepherd of Shine Salon is in love with these hair ties. “They have a phone cord shape, so it puts uneven pressure on the ponytail — and doesn’t leave a crease on the hair when you take it down! It’s especially life changing for curly girls,” she says. “We sell them for $10 for a three pack.”

Pull back your hair (and avoid the dreaded crease of a pony tail holder) with InvisiBobble hair ties — three for $10 at Shine Salon.

patchology Illuminate FlashMasque

Woo Caroland assures us that patchology Illuminate FlashMasque is ideal for fixing dull, lackluster skin and an uneven tone. Get brighter skin for just $8 a pack at Woo Skincare + Cosmetics.

“The Wet Brush Pro is by far the best detangling brush for all ages,” Lee Wright of Style House Salon says. “The soft, flexible bristles make brushing your hair so easy, and it’s great for all hair types, including men! Also, it helps cut down on split ends. Wet Brush-Pro ($14 at Style House) carries a variety of styles including our personal favorite, the limited edition watercolor collection!”

This Wet Brush Pro is a cheap thrill that will keep your hair detangled and split-end free!

Under $30

Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Set

Paige Simmons of Paige Simmons Salon is a fan of the Sonia Kashuk eye shadow set in neutral matte. “The primer base is brightening, and the matte works great before concealer and foundation. I layer them both,” she tells us. “I pretty much love this whole line.” Find it for $19.99 at Target.

Shop this affordable line at Target!

Tan Towel

“For a small amount of money, tanning my legs gives me a huge thrill,” Woo Caroland shares. Tanning with Tan Towel is a breeze, and affordable at $3 per towel at Woo Skincare + Cosmetics.

Look sun-kissed for just $3!

We love our sponsors!

Pixi Glow and Peel Pads

“Pixi Glow and Peel Pads are $22 dollars at Target, and I use them like I would my Dr. Gross alpha pads, which are $180,” Paige Simmons of Paige Simmons Salon tells us.

Use these treatment and toner pads and barely spend a pretty penny!

L’Oréal Professionnel Hair Touch Up spray

A stylist at Element Salon in Green Hills, Samuel David’s favorite cheap thrill is L’Oréal Professionnel Hair Touch Up spray. “It is the perfect secret for in-between color services,” he says. “It’s the best there is for touching up your roots and hiding grey hair, and at only $26, it’s my guests go-to item until they see me again for their color.”

Lee Wright of Style House Salon also recommends this instant root fix. “It creates seamless coverage for grey hair in between color visits. We also love this product because it provides a little bit of lift and texture at the root,” he tells us. “Did you know you can also use Hair Touch Up to correct hair lines when your hair is pulled up? This makes Hair Touch-Up the perfect accessory for fine or thin hair! This bottle may be small, but it offers a lot!” You can find these at both Element Salon and Style House Salon.

“A new lip stick or gloss is cheaper than buying a pair of shoes, and might give you more joy,” Woo Caroland reminds us. Her go-to is the Trish McEvoy gloss, available at Woo Skincare + Cosmetics for $27.50.